Hey everyone. First post. I was hoping you knowledgeable people could help me with a few questions.

I know I am a female in a man's body. I have been depressed since a young age and recently everything has kind of spilled out of me and one day it just hit me. I feel as if I absolutely can't wait any longer and I need to start my transformation as soon as possible, but I have no idea what I am doing(although I have been doing a ton of reading) and I need some advice.

I am a muscular guy. I am 5'8 and I weigh a hefty 215 lbs, but I really have very little fat on me; its all muscle. Additionally, I grow a thick beard, have hairy legs, etc. In other words, I am a very manly looking guy. Just want to add that when I was younger(like 18), I weighed 155 lbs and was a pretty skinny little fellow, so I haven't always been big.

I desperately want to live my life as a woman, however I have one huge concern. Will I be the most hideous woman ever? I feel as if there is no way my body could ever change so drastically, and even if it did, my face wouldn't look right (I have a very handsome, manly face that I can't imagine would look great on a girl).

I've seen the pictures from this guy(girl) : http://acidcow.com/pics/26828-2-year-long-male-to-female-transformation.html , and I have to say his body in the early pics is very similar to how mine is right now, and he seemed to get some good results.

Can anyone give me some words of encouragement or discouragement? I am very sure that I want to do this and I am very sure I will have the willpower to finish once I begin, however I don't want to start if I know it will be impossible for me to ever look feminine. Should I just commit to it and go for it anyway?

Your kind words are extremely appreciated!

Well, there is no way to know going into HRT.  Look at your female family members - mothers, aunts, sisters and first cousins.  That will give you a clue.  Your height isn't bad.  You will lose quite a bit of your muscles.  Hair will need laser or electrolysis.

I've seen some people that really transformed.  One in particular was a body builder.  WOW!  She hit the genetic lottery.  But in the end, it's a lottery.  However, surgical techniques have gotten really good.
 
If you look at my picture at 6 months HRT, I really changed. But now at 9 months HRT, I've made great progress but I still have a ways to go. I am looking more and more like my younger sister.   (I should probably change picture.)